Trump may replace a Pearl Harbor hero's name with his own on Navy carrier

A US Navy aircraft carrier named after Doris Miller, the Black sailor who became known for his bravery during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, could reportedly be renamed after US President Donald Trump, according to CNN, which cited three sources familiar with internal discussions.

Two of the sources said there were conversations about naming the vessel after Trump. The reported proposal has drawn criticism from veterans and civil rights groups, particularly because no US Navy aircraft carrier has previously been named after a sitting president, per a report by The Indian Express.

Doris Miller's Pearl Harbor heroics

Miller was serving as a Navy cook aboard the USS West Virginia when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Despite having no formal training to operate the weapons system, he reportedly manned an anti-aircraft machine gun and fired at Japanese aircraft. He also helped move the ship's mortally wounded captain to safety while the vessel was under enemy fire.

Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and became one of the most prominent Black American servicemen of the Second World War. His family has continued to campaign for his Navy Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Miller remained in service after Pearl Harbor but was killed in 1943 when the escort aircraft carrier USS Liscome Bay was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Around two-thirds of the ship's crew died in the attack.

Reported renaming draws criticism

Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, criticised the reported proposal and said Miller's contribution should not be forgotten.

“This is a slap in the face to every war hero and every service member who has worn the uniform,” Johnson said, according to The Guardian. He said Miller “earned his place in American history through courage, sacrifice, and service.”

Johnson also said, “Doris Miller earned his place in American history through courage, sacrifice, and service. Donald Trump only wants to serve himself.”

He further criticised the reported move in the context of conditions faced by current service members.

“It’s beyond comprehension for a president to want his own name on a Navy ship while our armed forces are living in deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln,” he said.

Navy has not commented

The US Navy has declined to comment on the reported renaming. The White House referred questions to the Department of Defense, which also declined to comment.

Critics argue that replacing Miller's name would remove a tribute to a sailor whose actions at Pearl Harbor became an important part of the history of Black servicemen in the US military.

If the reported plan goes ahead, the renaming would also mark a departure from the Navy's stated tradition of naming major warships after figures and institutions associated with American military history.